Several Alabama players named finalists for top awards

Alabama Football’s Reuben Foster Selected as Finalist for Butkus AwardThe senior is one of five finalists for the national linebacker of the year

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama senior linebacker Reuben Foster was selected as one of five finalists for the 2016 Butkus Award, the Dick Butkus Foundation announced on Monday morning. The Butkus Award is presented annually to the nation’s top linebacker.

The signal-caller of the Crimson Tide linebacking corps, Foster has put together an impressive senior campaign, helping to lead one of the nation’s top-ranked defenses. He has collected a team-high 75 tackles while adding 9.0 tackles for loss (-39 yards) and two sacks (-18 yards). The Auburn, Ala., native has totaled three quarterback hurries and a pair of pass breakups for the season.

Foster is joined on the list by Kendall Beckwith (LSU), Zach Cunningham (Vanderbilt), Jarrad Davis (Florida) and Josey Jewell (Iowa). This year’s winner will be selected by an independent panel of recruiters, scouts, coaches and journalists and will be officially announced on or by Dec. 6.

The award recognizes linebackers at three levels of competition while helping spread the word about Butkus’ ‘I Play Clean’ initiative which encourages teens to eat well, train hard, and play with attitude instead of resorting to steroids and performance-enhancing drugs.

Alabama has had three players previously win the Butkus Award, including Derrick Thomas (1988), Rolando McClain (2009) and C.J. Mosley (2013). Last season, Reggie Ragland was named as a finalist for the Crimson Tide.

Howard is one of three finalists for the Mackey which is awarded to the nation’s top tight end

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama football senior O.J. Howard was selected as one of three finalists for the 2016 John Mackey Award, The Friends of John Mackey announced on Monday afternoon.

Howard has continued his steady play during his senior season, catching 30 passes for 359 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 12.0 yards per catch. He has at least one catch in every game this year and has improved as the season wears on, totaling 16 receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown across his last four games. Howard has also shown impressive blocking skills this season, helping the Alabama’s ground game accumulate 2,777 yards through 11 contests to average 252.5 yards per game on the ground.

The Mackey Award is given annually to the most outstanding tight end in college football and has been presented each year since 2000. Howard is joined by fellow seniors Jake Butt of Michigan and Clemson’s Jordan Leggett.

The 2016 John Mackey Award recipient will be announced on Dec. 7, 2016, and presented live on Dec. 8 at The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show airing at 6 p.m. ET on ESPNU.Alabama Football’s Jonathan Allen Selected as Bednarik FinalistThe Bednarik is awarded to college football’s defensive player of the year

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama senior defensive end Jonathan Allen was selected as a finalist for the 2016 Chuck Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced on Monday afternoon. The Bednarik is given annually to college football’s top defensive player.

Allen has been a force for one of the nation’s top-ranked units, anchoring the Crimson Tide’s defensive line. Providing consistent pressure from his end spot, he has collected a team-high 13 quarterback hurries and has made seven sacks (-55 yards). He has also added 9.5 tackles for loss (-70 yards) as part of his 46 tackles on the season. The senior lineman has returned a team-leading two fumble recoveries for 105 combined yards and two touchdowns. For his career, Allen has totaled 25 career sacks to place him second on the Tide’s all-time list behind former Crimson Tide standout and NFL Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas.

Joining Allen as finalists are Myles Garrett of Texas A&M and Jabrill Peppers of Michigan. The 2016 Bednarik Award winner will be revealed during The Home Depot College Football Awards show airing live on ESPN from the College Football Hall of Fame in downtown Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. CT.

######Alabama Football’s Cam Robinson Named Finalist for Outland TrophyRobinson is one of three finalists for the award presented annually to college football’s top interior lineman

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama junior left tackle Cam Robinson was chosen as one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, the Greater Omaha Sports Commission announced on Monday afternoon.

Robinson has been a staple at left tackle since he stepped foot on campus, starting all 40 games of his career protecting the blind side. He anchors a Tide offensive line that has blocked for the Southeastern Conference’s top scoring offense and has helped the Alabama rushing attack to accumulate 249.8 yards per game, a total that is second in the conference.

The Monroe, La., native has blocked for 10 100-yard rushing games this season and 27 100-yard rushers during his three year career. This season, he has recorded 23 knockdown blocks in 11 games while protecting Alabama quarterbacks from some of the top edge pass rushers in the nation.

Joining Robinson are Pat Elflein of Ohio State and Cody O’Connell of Washington State. The 2016 Outland Trophy winner will be named during The Home Depot College Football Awards show airing live on ESPN from the College Football Hall of Fame in downtown Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. CT.

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